Lucas Willard

Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief/Weekend Host

Lucas Willard graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. He also attended the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in 2010, where he studied audio and multimedia storytelling. Prior to joining WAMC in 2011, Lucas worked with the Sound and Story Project of the Hudson Valley, the Big Shed Audio Documentary Podcast, the Albany Broadcasting Company, WDVL & WCVF-FM Fredonia, and WSUC-FM Cortland.

Ways to Connect

Officials say they’ve solved a 22-year-old cold case in Schenectady. WAMC’s Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports it took modern forensic technology and a fresh set of eyes to close the case. A warning that some listeners may find this story upsetting.

Events denouncing white supremacy and promoting tolerance are being held in Gloversville and Johnstown Sunday in the wake of a three-part series in a local newspaper that reported on the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in Fulton County.

With colder weather approaching, an emergency Code Blue shelter in Saratoga Springs is returning to a location that faced criticism from nearby residents last year while construction on a new shelter has stalled due to community objection.

Communities surrounding Lake George are hoping to make upgrades to their wastewater treatment systems. WAMC’s Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports on a new round of state funding to make infrastructure improvements.

New York U.S. Senator Charles Schumer will be making stops in the region Friday.

Senate Minority Leader Schumer is scheduled to visit Gloversville in Fulton County at 1 p.m. The Democrat is expected to address cuts to federal programs that benefit rural hospitals. Schumer says if Congress does not renew payments through the Low-Volume Hospital and Medicare-Dependent Hospital programs, Nathan Littauer Hospital will lose more than $1 million in federal aid.

A majority of police departments in New York are commanded by men. As more women join the force, a week of training now under way in Saratoga Springs aims to prepare female officers for leadership roles.

Universal Preservation Hall, an arts space inside an historic High Victorian Gothic church building in downtown Saratoga Springs, is about to embark upon a multi-million dollar renovation. UPH has partnered with Proctors to bring performers to its stage. It will be bringing in a new stage, entrance, elevator, common area, lobby and more.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is suing the Trump Administration for rolling back a requirement under the Affordable Care Act that employers provide birth control coverage in their health insurance plans.

A city council candidate forum was held at Proctors in Schenectady last night, hosted by the Daily Gazette. WAMC’s Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard questioned candidates as a panelist. Here’s a recap.

The Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission is now sending information to homes in the Spa City about the proposed city charter on the ballot Election Day. WAMC’s Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard was at the Commission’s meeting Thursday night when the documents were approved.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Schenectady County had the highest per capita crime rate in New York. Now, officials are looking to curb that statistic with a new county-wide policing strategy.

The estimated financial savings of a proposed city charter change in Saratoga Springs have been disputed between supporters and opponents. This week, the city’s Charter Review Commission plans to approve and release more details on the document.

As controversy has swirled around a Pittsfield museum’s plan to sell parts of its permanent collection to fund a multi-million dollar expansion and future vision, a local state representative is supporting the institution’s leadership.

Saratoga Springs will be the focus of a new television series being produced by C-Span. WAMC’s Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard has more details on the program featuring a city known for health, history and horses.

A sidewalk was being completed outside a Saratoga Springs elementary school this afternoon. WAMC’s Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports the project — part of a national program — will complement a planned bicycle path.